Manually operable lifting apparatus

ABSTRACT

In a lifting apparatus a connecting member is attached to a load receiving member and is fixed to a lifting rope on a lifting device. Manually operable switches are incorporated into the connecting member for controlling the lifting operation. Movement of a load can be carried out by manually moving the connecting member and, at the same time, operating the switches which control the lifting and lowering of the load. Handles can be formed on the connecting member or, if required in special instances, the connecting member can be operated over a distance bar attached to it.

United States Patent [191 Grote et al.

[ MANUALLY OPERABLE LIFTING APPARATUS [76] Inventors: Hugo Grote, Wette; Ludolf Peithmann, Hagen, both of Germany [22] Filed: Mar. 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 342,935

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. 24, I972 Germany 2214530 [52] US. Cl. 254/168, 279/89 [51] Int. Cl 866d 1/28 [58] Field of Search 254/168, 167, 169, 170, 254/171; 294/82, 83; 279/89 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,600,887 6/1952 Lannen 254/168 X 2,924,430 2/1960 Smith et al 3,310,290 3/1967 Workman.....- 254/168 Jan. 7, 1975 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,152,237 8/1963 Germany 254/168 Primary ExaminerRichard A. Schacher Assistant Examiner-James L. Rowland Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Totem, McGeady and Stanger [57] ABSTRACT In a lifting apparatus a connecting member is attached to a load receiving member and is fixed to a lifting rope on a lifting device. Manually operable switches are incorporated into the connecting member for controlling the lifting operation. Movement of a load can be carried out by manually moving the connecting member and, at the same time, operating the switches which control the lifting and lowering of the load. Handles can be formed on the connecting member or, if required in special instances, the connecting member can be operated over a distance bar attached to it.

5 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures SHEET 18F FATENTEI] JAN 7 I975 WJENTEDMH "News SHEET 2 OF 4 PATEN-TEBJAN We SHEET 3 [IF 4 1 MANUALLY OPERABLE LIFTING APPARATUS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The presentinvention is directed to a manually operable lifting apparatus and, more particularly, it is directed to the combination of a load receiving member and a connecting member attached to it which includes switches for controlling the lifting and lowering opera tion of the load receiving member.

Various lifting apparatus are widely used in industrial plants and generally have a carrying compacity of 125 kg or more. Such apparatus is used whenever a load cannot be moved manually.

According to a recommendation of the International Labor Organization in Geneva, under working conditions the maximum load which should be lifted by men is 55 kp and by women is 27.5 kp. This recommendation applies only to persons who do not come under the Labor Act for the protection of Mothers and Children.

However, in a poll of gynecologists conducted at a Convention in Hamburg in 1970, it was determined that women should move substantially lighter loads in the opinion of these specialists in the interest of protecting their health when working in industrial plants. Further, the frequency with which loads are lifted during a working shift also plays an important role in determining the loads which can be safely lifted by women. The following table indicates permissable lifting loads and the frequency with which such loads should be lifted:

Occasional lifts-not more than six times per hour-40 times per day-20 kp.

Frequent lifts-7 to 10 times per hour-about 80 times per day-l2.5 kp.

Constant lifts-more than 12 times per hour-160 times per day-8 kp.

Accordingly, the constant lifting of a relatively small load of 8 kp is considered asthe maximum admissible load for a woman where relatively constant lifting is involved. In many plants which employ women, such medium heavy or constant lifting work is substantially exceeded both in the weight of the lift and in the number of times it is performed within a given period, for exam ple, such as lifting and chucking work pieces in machines. Where the above limits are exceeded in lifting and positioning loads not only is there a considerable reduction in the efficiency of the work, but there is also a considerable likelihood of physical injury.

Based on the concept that any work done manually is generally more uneconomical than similar work done with mechanical means, there is a need for a lifting apparatus including a load receiving member with which a worker can lift even relatively light loads.

All known lifting apparatus of this type have the disadvantage that they engage the load over a movable connection, for example a lifting hook which engages in a lifting eye or loop. While special load receiving or lifting members have been devised for engagement with a crane hook in lifting certain materials, such arrangements have made the safe guidance of the load more difficult, though such safe guidance has not always been available in conventional lifting apparatus.

It has been known to use an electrically driven small size lifting apparatus which can be suspended from a suspension ring on the lifting apparatus itself or from a lifting rope equipped with a hook and depending from the lifting apparatus. When this small-size lifting apparatus is suspended from a suspension ring, it is operated by switch means suspended on a cable from the lifting apparatus. However, when using such a small-size lifting apparatus, the operator has only one hand free for suspending and guiding the load while he must operate the switch with his other hand. Frequently though both hands are required for positioning the load. As mentioned above, the switch can be positioned on the small size lifting apparatus itself when the lifting apparatus is suspended on a lifting rope, however, it is difficult to attach the lifting hook to the load. Further, with such an arrangement the ability to view the lifting hook is hindered by the lifting apparatus itself. As a result, positioning the load on a shelf or similar location is often difficult with this type of lifting apparatus.

Therefore, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a lifting apparatus which can safely guide a load supported on a load receiving member without the operators view being hindered by the lifting apparatus itself. Further, switches for controlling the lifting operation can be positioned adjacent the load receiving means so that the lifting operation can be easily carried out.

In accordance with the present invention, a lifting apparatus is afforded which includes an upwardly and downwardly movable load receiving member with switches located adjacent the load receiving member which can be operated by a worker while he guides the load being lifted. To afford both guidance of the load and control of the lifting operation, a manipulating member including the switches is attached directly to the load receiving member. With this arrangement the operator can lift a load into any desired position by operating the switches located on the manipulating member and at the same time can direct the positioning of the load. For example, if a work piece is to be clamped in a lathe, with one hand the operator can manipulate the lifting apparatus and guide the workpiece while his other hand operates the clamping jaws on the lathe. In accordance with other embodiments of the invention, the load receiving or carrying member and the switch can be mounted on a connecting member and preferably the load receiving member is rigidly attached to the connecting member, further, the connecting member can be provided with an arrangement for interchangeably attaching a variety of load receiving members to it. The load receiving members can be magnets, siphons, gripping clamps and the like. The connecting member can also be provided with a special fastening groove into which special load receiving members can be fitted, with such an arrangement a variety of load receiving members can be made in accordance with the type of of material to be handled.

For attaching special load receiving members to the connecting part, the connecting part can be provided with a groove opened at the bottom and along at least one side with a widened portion at the upper end of the groove. Further, a sliding lock can be incorporated into the groove which prevents the load receiving member from being accidently displaced from the groove.

Another feature of the invention is the arrangement of the cable extending between the lifting device of the apparatus and the switch mounted on the connecting member. In one arrangement the cable can be wound helically about and spaced outwardly from the lifting rope extending downwardly from the lifting device.

Since the apparatus has a maximum lifting stroke of about 2 m it is necessary only to provide a few turns of the cable about the lifting rope. Further, the cable can be a flat cable guided in folds with the cable including rings which are guided along the lifting rope.

For lifting bulky loads, for example, metal plates-by means of an electro-magnet or wood sheets by means of a suction or vacuum apparatus, the switch can be attached to the connecting member over a distance bar. In such an arrangement the switch on the distance bar is connected to the switch arrangement in the connecting member by means of a plug connection.

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGS. 1 to 5 are perspective views of various applications of the lifting apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a lifting apparatus embodying the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the lifting apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged detailed view of the encircled portion of FIG. 7 designated by the reference character FIG. 9 shows a portion of the lifting apparatus in a perspective view; and

FIG. 10 is a view of a lifting apparatus, similar to that shown in FIG. 9, with a member for operating the apparatus at a distance spaced from the load carrying member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1 a woman is shown transporting a barrel supported in a scissors-type load receiving member 5 rigidly attached to a connecting member 4 and supported at the lower end of a lifting rope 2 which depends downwardly from a lifting device 1. Several switches 6 are positioned on the connecting member 4 and are connected over a cable 3 to the lifting device 1. The lifting device is supported on and moves along the rail of a column jib crane.

In FIG. 2 an acid bottle or carboy is supported on the load carrying member 5 and a worker operates the switches on the connecting member 4 over a distance bar 7. Because of the dangerous content of the carboy the distance bar, which includes the switches for operating the lifting apparatus, permits the worker to stand clear of the carboy as it is lifted onto the hand truck. In this arrangement the lifting apparatus is not shown. In FIG. 3 a worker is shown lifting a stack of material onto a hand cart as he guides the material with one hand and operates the lifting apparatus with the other and the switches are provided on the connecting member so that they can be operated by the worker as he holds the handle.

In FIG. 4 the embodiment of the lifting apparatus is similar to that in FIG. 3 with the worker holding the connecting member by means of a handle as the load carrying member lifts a motor out of a passenger car.

- In FIG. 5, the various movements involved in an operation are shown where a workpiece is lifted and clamped into a machine, with the worker guiding the workpiece in the proper direction with his right hand by means of the lifting apparatus while he operates the clamping device on the machine with his left hand. When the machining operation has been completed, the lifting apparatus is again used to remove the workpiece and to place it on a conveyor track. In the various arrangements shown in FIG. 1 to 5 the worker has both hands free for guiding and positioning the load and, at the same time, he can operate the switches which control the upward and downward movement of the lifting apparatus.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the lifting device 1 supports the connecting member 4 which has a fastening fixture 5a for attaching special load receiving members. The fastening fixture has a collar 5d against which the special load receiving members, not shown, can be positioned with a nut 50 running on the threads 5b securing the load receiving member in place. On the body of the connecting member 4 above the fastening fixture 5a are switches 6 for operating the lifting device and a handle 4a is provided on the connecting member adjacent the switches. In FIG. 8 the fastening fixture 5a is shown extending upwardly into a groove located in the lower portion of the connecting member 4. The upper portion of the groove 4c is widened relative to the lower portion and the fastening fixture is secured against rotation by means of square projection 5e located within the widened portion of the groove. Located within the fastening fixture 5a, at its upper end, is a spring 9 which biases a bolt 10 in the upward direction for engagement within a recess 11 located in the connecting member 4 at the upper end of the groove. The engagement of the bolt 10 within the recess 11 provides a locking arrangement which prevents the fastening fixture from accidently sliding out of the connecting member.

In FIG. 8, the cable 3 is in the form of a flat cable which has the wires located only at the sides and at spaced locations of about 25cm along the central region of the cable openings 30 reinforced by oblong plastic rings 3b are provided so that the cable can be guided along the lifting rope about which the rings 3b are positioned.

In FIG. 9, the connecting member 4 has a laterally outwardly extending handle 4b with switches 6, 6a located in the handle, the switch 6 controls the lifting device 1 while the switch 6a operates the load receiving member, not shown. In addition, the connecting member 4 has a plug connection 8a for a distance bar 7, note FIG. 10, and a cable plug-connection 8b for connecting a switch 6 on the handle 7a of the distance bar 7 into the connecting member.

When the connecting member is equipped with a load receiving member, not shown, for example an electromagnet or suction member for lifting large surface pieces, for example, wood sheets or metal plates, the lifting apparatus can be guided and controlled over the distance bar 7 at its end spaced from the connecting member, the distance bar 7 has fork shaped grip ends 7a whereby two hands can be used in operating the distance bar and so that the connecting member can be turned or tilted in any desired direction.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

l. Lifting apparatus comprising a lifting means, a load receiving member associated with said lifting means, and manually operable switch means for controlling the movement of said load receiving member, wherein the improvement comprises that said lifting means includes a lifting device, a lifting rope secured to and extending downwardly from said lifting device, a connecting member attached to the end of said lifting rope depending from said lifting device, said connecting member includes a handle and a fastening fixture for attaching said load receiving member to said connecting member and said fastening member arranged to engage differently constructed said load receiving members for handling different types of loads, said switch means mounted on said handle and operatively associated with said lifting device for operating said lifting device while said handle affords manipulation of a load held by said receiving member, said connecting member has a groove therein with an opening from the exterior surface of the connecting member, said groove having a widened portion at its inner end as compared to the width of the portion thereof located at the opening from said groove on the exterior surface of the connecting member, said groove arranged to receive and hold said fastening fixture, a sliding lock arranged for securing said fastening fixture within said groove in said connecting member, said sliding lock comprises a bolt member mounted in the end of said fastening fixture which is inserted into said groove in said contacting member, a spring biasing said bolt member in the direction of the inner end of said groove, and said connecting member having a recess in the inner end of said groove for receiving said spring biased bolt member and preventing saidfastening fixture from sliding out of said groove.

2. Lifting apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a distance bar is removably attached to and extends laterally outwardly from said connecting member, and said switch means includes a first switch located in said connecting member, a second switch mounted in said distance bar, and a plug contact on said distance bar for connecting said second switch in said distance bar to said first switch in said connecting member.

3. Lifting apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a cable is connected between said lifting device and said switch means on said connecting member for operating said lifting device.

4. Lifting apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said cable comprises a flat cable guided in folds, ring shaped members positioned in and spaced at intervals along said cable with said ring-shaped members arranged to encircle said lifting rope so that the folds of said cable can be expanded and contracted in response to the lifting and lowering of said load receiving member.

5. Lifting apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said cable is helically wound about and spaced outwardly from said lifting rope. 

1. Lifting apparatus comprising a lifting means, a load receiving member associated with said lifting means, and manually operable switch means for controlling the movement of said load receiving member, wherein the improvement comprises that said lifting means includes a lifting device, a lifting rope secured to and extending downwardly from said lifting device, a connecting member attached to the end of said lifting rope depending from said lifting device, said connecting member includes a handle and a fastening fixture for attaching said load receiving member to said connecting member and said fastening member arranged to engage differently constructed said load receiving members for handling different types of loads, said switch means mounted on said handle and operatively associated with said lifting device for operating said lifting device while said handle affords manipulation of a load held by said receiving member, said connecting member has a groove therein with an opening from the exterior surface of the connecting member, said groove having a widened portion at its inner end as compared to the width of the portion thereof located at the opening from said groove on the exterior surface of the connecting member, said groove arranged to receive and hold said fastening fixture, a sliding lock arranged for securing said fastening fixture within said groove in said connecting member, said sliding lock comprises a bolt member mounted in the end of said fastening fixture which is inserted into said groove in said contacting member, a spring biasing said bolt member in the direction of the inner end of said groove, and said connecting member having a recess in the inner end of said groove for receiving said spring biased bolt member and preventing said fastening fixture from sliding out of said groove.
 2. Lifting apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a distance bar is removably attached to and extends laterally outwardly from said connecting member, and said switch means includes a first switch located in said connecting member, a second switch mounted in said distance bar, and a plug contact on said distance bar for connecting said second switch in said distance bar to said first switch in said connecting member.
 3. Lifting apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a cable is connected between said lifting device and said switch means on said connecting member for operating said lifting device.
 4. Lifting apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said cable comprises a flat cable guided in folds, ring shaped members positioned in and spaced at intervals along said cable with said ring-shaped members arranged to encircle said lifting rope so that the folds of said cable can be expanded and contracted in response to the lifting and lowering of said load receiving member.
 5. Lifting apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said cable is helically wound about and spaced outwardly from said lifting rope. 